University of Toronto Acceptance Rate

It’s one of the best universities in the world, so the acceptance rate can’t be that high, you think.

However, you don’t have to resign yourself to attending an “easier” school. I looked into the acceptance rate and other U of T admission factors.

Over 75,000 of those students were undergraduates.

So we can assume that around 18,000 to 19,000 of those were in their first year.

U of T received over 110,000 undergraduate applications in 2024, making it more competitive than ever.

Not all programs are equal, either. Competitive programs like Computer Science admit only 1 out of every 16 applicants.

This is very different from the overall 43% rate, so knowing your program’s specific rate matters a lot.

About the University of Toronto?

The University of Toronto (U of T) is a public research university located in the heart of Toronto, Ontario.

It has three campuses: St. George, Scarborough, and Mississauga.

U of T is the highest-ranked college in Canada, so it’s up there with the American Ivy League.

It’s even often called the Oxford of Canada.

U of T is now ranked 29th in the world and #1 in Canada for graduate employability (QS 2026).

It also holds the #1 spot globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings.

You can study anything from business to art to data science and more. If I were to look at going to college or grad school abroad, I’d add the U of T to my list of options.

Also read:

• USC Transfer Acceptance Rate
• UCLA Acceptance Rate
• Northeastern Acceptance Rate
• Harvard Transfer Acceptance Rate

University of Toronto Admissions Process

In general, you’ll want to have at least a 3.7 GPA to apply to the U of T.

And unless you live in Canada or have studied in the country before, you’ll need to apply as an international student.

Domestic and international applicants will go through almost the same admissions process.

Make time to fill out the application in the fall.

Once you apply, you can expect to hear back about two weeks later.

If you get in, the university will send you the login details to access your student portal.

For most undergraduate programs, the application deadline for international students is January 15.

Required Documents

Like any college or university, certain documents are required for the U of T to process your application.

I’d suggest you prepare or gather the necessary files well before the January or February application deadlines (dates vary by program).

SOP for Canada

A statement of purpose (SOP) is a special essay that you write to showcase why you want to study in Canada.

It should detail your goals, prior achievements, and your motivations for choosing a particular degree.

All international applicants should complete an SOP.

Not only will you need to write a more personal one to submit to the U of T, but you’ll also have to submit a professional one to receive your Canada student visa.

Depending on the quality of and information in your SOP, you could be denied admission to the university.

And if your visa SOP is denied, it won’t matter if you get into a Canadian college.

English Proficiency Test Scores

International applicants whose native language isn’t English must also prove English proficiency.

The standard way to do this is to take a standardized English proficiency test.

U of T accepts some of the most common tests, each with a minimum score requirement.

IELTS	6.5
TOEFL	100+22
Cambridge assessment C1 and C2	180

Luckily, most American applicants won’t need to worry about this.

But if you learned English as a second language, I’d recommend taking one or more of these tests before applying to Toronto.

Standardized Test Scores

Whether English is your first language or not, you’ll need to submit standardized test scores.

Now, it’s not a requirement, but a high score can only help your application.

As an undergraduate applicant, the U of T will accept your SAT or ACT score.

Graduates of American high schools have an average SAT composite score of 1330 to 1500.

Meanwhile, the range for an American applicant who took the ACT is 29 to 34.

Obviously, a higher score can improve your chances of admission, but you could also get in with a lower score.

If you’re looking at the U of T for graduate school, you may submit GRE or GMAT scores.

The most successful candidates score at least 167 on the quantitative section of the GRE.

MBA applicants will need at least a 550, but I’d shoot for 600 or 650 to get entrance awards.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Not all U of T programs require two letters of recommendation.

Some do, such as the MScSM degree.

However, it never hurts to ask for references to help boost your application, even if it’s not necessary.

Most of the graduate programs will require at least two letters, but you can submit up to five.

Just make sure the letters you submit help put you in the best light.

Otherwise, they could hurt your application.

CV

Especially when applying for a graduate program, you’ll want to submit a CV (curriculum vitae).

It’s more detailed than a standard resume and can include all of your prior work experience and academic accomplishments.

Check your CV for any glaring typos or other errors.

That way, you can make sure you submit the best possible document.

Transcripts

I could say to the U of T that I had a 4.0 GPA in college.

But to prove that, I’d need to submit my transcripts along with the application.

All students are required to have official transcripts mailed to the university.

Electronic submission of transcripts is also an option in a few cases.

Certain programs may also ask you to self-report your grades when applying.

Application Fee

The application fee for international applicants is $180 CAD.

As of this writing, that comes out to just over $135 USD.

Best Programs at the University of Toronto

As you decide if it’s worth it to apply to the U of T, you may wonder what programs they’re most known for.

Top majors include management, automation and control, and public health.

The psychology and sociology programs are also popular.

U of T has 7 subjects ranked in the global top 10, including Nursing, Philosophy, and Data Science.

However, I’d recommend you choose the degree you want.

If I forced myself to study what’s popular, I’d probably go crazy and wouldn’t enjoy the resources of U of T.

Also, certain majors are only available on one or two campuses.

But a few are taught at all three university locations.

Cost to Study at the University

You’ve gotten your acceptance letter from the U of T.

Now, you need to figure out how much it will cost to go to school there.

Undergraduate students will pay anywhere from $6,590 to $45,690 CAD.

Meanwhile, the graduate tuition ranges from $6,210 to $61,350 CAD.

I’d recommend applying for financial aid.

That way, you can lower the cost of tuition as well as other fees and your general living expenses.

International students should also look into the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, which covers full tuition, housing, and books for four years.

This is one of the most generous scholarships available to international students at any Canadian university.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Admission

The 43% acceptance rate means you’re more likely to get rejected than admitted.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to get in.

I’d do a few things to make sure my application is as perfect as possible.

Understanding what a U of T degree can do for your earning potential is a great motivator to put in the extra effort.

Draft a Thoughtful SOP

Especially as an international student, you should take your SOP very seriously.

Don’t be afraid to outline all of the reasons you want to attend U of T.

Make a list before you even think about writing a narrative statement.

Then, you can put those points together into a cohesive story.

Canadian universities rely heavily on your statement of purpose.

So take your time with it, and consider getting others to review it to make sure it sounds good.

Choose the Right References

If you need to submit letters of recommendation, don’t just choose the first two people who come to mind.

I’d suggest you think about all of your bosses and professors.

Consider who knows you the best and who can highlight your strengths.

You can submit letters from people you worked with years ago.

The key is that they remember how well you performed in their class or workplace.

Sometimes, that does mean the two most recent bosses you had but not always.

Retake Standardized Tests

I don’t know about you, but I’m not that good on standardized tests.

While my scores were never low, they weren’t exactly U of T material.

If your latest scores are a bit lower than the average, consider taking the most relevant test again.

Study as much as you can and take a practice test or two.

Then, you can attempt to raise your score and potentially get it well within the average range of successful applicants.

Who knows, retaking a test could make or break your admission results.

Remember: financial pressure is one of the top reasons students struggle after acceptance. Understanding average college student spending before you enroll can help you plan ahead.